Seoul Chamber of Commerce Supports SMEs in Overcoming COVID-19 Barriers to Online Market Expansion

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] The Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling to find sales channels due to the COVID-19 pandemic to enter domestic and international online platforms.

On the 11th, the Seoul Chamber announced that it will implement the ‘Online Platform Sales Channel Support Project’ for SMEs in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Through this project, the Seoul Chamber will support the establishment of infrastructure for online sales channels, provide consulting on sales know-how for online platforms, and conduct practical training on developing online sales channels. The program targets about 100 SMEs, with applications accepted until the 22nd.

A representative from the Seoul Chamber said, “With the recent spread of COVID-19, non-face-to-face online distribution channels have become important, but the utilization rate of online platforms by domestic SMEs is only 10%. We will actively support SMEs not only in entering major online platforms but also in selling products by joining the ‘SME Welfare Platform’ product hall operated by the Chamber.”

The SME Welfare Platform is a welfare mall for SMEs jointly operated with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups since September 2019. Currently, employees of about 5,500 SMEs use welfare products in five categories?travel and resorts, hobbies and self-development, congratulatory and condolence events, life stability, and product malls?at affordable prices.

The Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also open a ‘Practical Training Course for Developing Online Sales Channels.’ Online platform experts will conduct the training, sharing know-how for entering overseas markets with about 100 companies.

The training course includes ▲ marketing and content planning using online platforms ▲ sales strategies and entry know-how for Korea’s Naver Smart Store ▲ sales strategies for China’s open market Taobao ▲ entry strategies for Southeast Asia’s Shopee ▲ and e-commerce export-import taxation.

The course is completely free, and the training schedule is planned for June when the COVID-19 situation stabilizes. Companies that complete the training will also be offered opportunities for market entry and one-on-one sales consulting.

Companies wishing to receive online sales channel support can apply online through the Chamber of Commerce website or contact the Welfare Team of the Korea and Seoul Chambers of Commerce.

A representative from the Seoul Chamber said, “We plan to share know-how to enter representative online platforms such as Korea’s Naver and China’s Taobao,” adding, “We will provide all support in one shot, from entry methods to operation, sales, and marketing.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.